Arts & Entertainment
Lesbian seeks support for new documentary
Student chronicling effort behind D.C. Women’s Initiative
A vintage clipping used in Kelsey Brannan’s in-the-works lesbian documentary. (Image courtesy of Brennan)
A local director is seeking the support of the LGBT community to help her tell a story she’s passionate about.
Georgetown University student Kelsey Brannan and the Washington Blade are hosting a preview of Brannan’s upcoming documentary “Labor of Love” at the Blade offices (1712 14th St., 2nd floor) on Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. Following the 10-minute preview will be a Q&A segment with Brannan and subjects of the film.
Complimentary wine will be served and guests are encouraged to network, socialize and discuss what they would like from a new space.
“Labor of Love” follows the D.C. Women’s Initiative, founded this past March, in its mission to establish a physical space to connect lesbians in the community and existing organizations together. Their goal is to open a space in March. The documentary also includes vignettes highlighting the history of former lesbian spaces in D.C., including Sisterspace and Lammas Bookstore.
In the film, former Lammas Bookstore owner Denise Bump reflects on the impact the store had, saying it was part of a movement of women helping other women. She hopes to see something similar in the new center. Bump is head of the D.C. Women’s Initiative and will be available during the event’s Q&A segment.
The evening is largely a fundraising event. Brannan is attempting to reach a goal of $15,000 by Jan. 1. The funds will go to hiring a full-time editor, composer and cinematographer and cover other production costs. She has raised $2,800 through startsomegood.com. All donations will be canceled if she does not meet the goal by the deadline. While she is confident she will be successful, if she falls short, Brannan said she will explore other outlets of fundraising.
She hopes the event will generate interest in the documentary throughout the lesbian community. In a written statement, Brannan says, “The event is designed to get people more engaged with the project, secure more donors and get feedback from the community about what women want from a new space.”
Brannan estimates that about 40 percent of her filming is complete, thanks to “the generosity of my friends with cameras.” Filming will continue in January and February and the documentary will premiere in late April.
Brannan began developing the film as her master’s thesis project, which she defends in May. When she first arrived in Washington, Brannan searched for a physical space where she and other lesbians could spend time and connect with the community. In a video statement on her film’s website (laboroflovefilm.org), she says she discovered a history of such spaces, which no longer exist, compiled by the Rainbow History Project.
“It’s hard to tap into a community when you move to a new place,” Brannan says, commenting on her early days in D.C. “I wanted to look into the past to see why these spaces existed and why they disappeared.”
This personal desire to find a community became the inspiration for her film.
The project has two components. Brannan plans to expand the documentary and show it at festivals, including the Reel Affirmations Xtra series in June. There is also an archive on the film’s site featuring clips, interview segments and personal stories about the importance of having such spaces for women. Brannan plans for the project to be ongoing.
In the film, D.C. Women’s Initiative member June Crenshaw explains how such a space would fill a void in the community.
“The space is not going take the place of all of the organizations and groups that are out there doing a whole host of wonderful things,” she says, “but it’s really going to provide that centralized place for us to find each other.”
Brannan credits her community as a driving force behind the documentary and appreciates the support she has received. “Every woman I interviewed was a huge part of the project,” she says. “Without them, it wouldn’t be possible, and without the D.C. Women’s Initiative space, I wouldn’t have a narrative.”
Celebrity News
Perez Hilton’s live breakdown reveals social media mental health crisis
Blogger hospitalized after harming himself online
Fans were shocked to witness former celebrity blogger Mario Lavandeira, aka Perez Hilton’s, epic crashout on social media. While on TikTok Live, he was harming himself with what appears to be a metal chef-grade spreader. There was blood, gore, and a cry for help that broke the internet.
Police from Miami-Dade County were called to the scene; he has been hospitalized. The fact that this traumatic incident was broadcast on TikTok brought up the topic of moderation. Hilton’s account has since been banned from TikTok, but by now the cat is out of the bag, and the clip is circulating online.
It’s hard not to reflect on how Hilton both represents a major turning point in Internet culture, and this incident may be a warning of its potential end. A statement on his blog from his representatives confirms that his family was on the scene minutes before the incident but quickly fled to protect his children and niece from any future trauma.
Hilton’s agent, Dante Rusciolelli, told Us Weekly in a statement. “Our focus remains on Perez’s health, recovery, and the privacy of both him and his family during this incredibly difficult time … We respectfully ask that everyone continue to honor his privacy while he receives the care he needs.”
A recurring theme on social media is that Hilton, at the height of his fame and media reach, would not respect the privacy of any celebrity. After all, he was one of the regular outlets covering Britney Spears’s famous shaved-head meltdown and part of the “Leave Britney Alone” mythos.
A bit of background
Before Hilton, there were celebrities famous for being famous like Angelyne and Paris Hilton. However, some may say he was the first to monetize it. From his laptop at a coffee shop, he galvanized the Internet by skewering celebrities.
Nothing was off limits. He outed celebrities like Neil Patrick Harris, Clay Aiken, and Lance Bass. He spoiled the finale of season 3 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” and he posted celebrity nudes, including up-skirt photos of teen starlets like Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, and Lindsay Lohan, the same young women he also cyber-bullied.
Times have changed, and despite his many attempts to rehab his image, including having children, publicly apologizing, and even finding God, nothing brought him back to the public eye. He was recently hospitalized for sepsis and claims to have reflected on his behavior in the past.
This incident really shines a light on the intersection of mental health and fame in this country. In a post-Kardashian world, being a celebrity is not about talent or professional accolades. It has become about how you can increase your follower count. Whether it is stretching out Marilyn Monroe’s dress, becoming a Black Nazi like Kanye West, or even becoming President, it’s about how you can shock, awe, and find your base.
Los Angeles is a city that lives and dies by television and movies, but social media has shifted how this business works. People are cast from large social media followings. People who do manage to build a following face some of the darker aspects of fame. Whether it’s Chappell Roan’s beef with paparazzi and fans, or Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie having to ask for privacy and respect for their humanity, even if you reach the level of fame, it’s not all roses.
Add to this the fact that this is all tied to social media. Your fame is quantified by the number of followers, likes, and page views, while people are found in a negative feedback loop of dopamine addiction, clout chasing, and pushing themselves further to find more followers.
On Aug. 1, Floridian influencer Whitney Lynn was thrown off a flight claiming spiritual warfare when she was disrupting the flight by proselytizing. Was she doing this for social media follows? The Internet is now rampant with people causing scenes in planes, staging pranks and scenarios, and violating people’s privacy all in the pursuit of attention.
Hopefully Hilton finds the help he needs. This entire incident has called into question the entirety of internet culture. Who is responsible for the trauma that people inflict on other people? At what point do we intercede in Internet use before people have no other recourse but to harm themselves on live? And at what point does the toxic energy we put onto the net bounce back to us?
Similar to Hilton, Wendy Williams faced her own crisis, and maybe she put it best: “I would ask you to respect our privacy, but please, I don’t respect people’s privacy; that’s why I do the Hot Topics. So turnabout is fair game.”
If you know anyone struggling with self-harm, text CONNECT to 741741 for free confidential support or dial 988 for the suicide and crisis helpline.
Mr. Henry’s Victorian Pub will host a gala celebrating its 60th anniversary on Saturday, Aug. 29 at 7 p.m.
There will be signature cocktails, beer and wine; plentiful throwback hors d’oeuvres, three live bands and a cocktail attire red carpet.
Tickets start at $50 and can be purchased at mrhenrysdc.com.
Friday, August 7
Go Gay DC will host “First Friday LGBTQ+ Community Social” at 7 p.m. at Silver Diner Balston. This is a chance to relax, make new friends, and enjoy happy hour specials at this classic retro venue. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, August 8
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ+ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center will host “RA Xtra: Manhood” at 1:30 p.m. “MANHOOD” follows Dallas entrepreneur Bill Moore as he attempts to make penis enlargement as commonplace as Botox. Along the way, an OnlyFans star and a father of five put their bodies—and their insecurities—on the line. Blending dark humor with unexpected empathy, MANHOOD examines shame, addiction, and the fragile myths of American masculinity. More details are available on the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center’s website.
Sunday, August 9
“Nellie’s DC Drag Brunch” will be at 12 p.m. at Nellie’s Sports Bar. Come get served like a queen by a queen at this unforgettable Drag Brunch. Join Sapphire Blue, Deja Diamond and their team of amazing drag performers for the most fun you’ll have all weekend. Tickets are $58.51 and are available on Eventbrite.
Monday, August 10
“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more information, contact Adam ([email protected]).
Genderqueer DC will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a support group for people who identify outside of the gender binary, whether you’re bigender, agender, genderfluid, or just know that you’re not 100% cis. For more details, visit genderqueerdc.org or Facebook.
Tuesday, August 11
Trans Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This event is intended to provide an emotionally and physically safe space for trans people and those who may be questioning their gender identity/expression to join together in community and learn from one another. For more details, email [email protected].
Wednesday, August 12
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom upon request. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.
Thursday, August 13
The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245.
Virtual Yoga Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breathwork and meditation that allows LGBTQ+ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center’s website.
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